Hardening compound



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

HIRAH G. HICKS, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

HARDENING COMPOUND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 372,619, dated November l. 1887.

(No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM G. HICKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vorcestr, in the county of \Vorcester, in the State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and use ful Improvement in Hardening Compounds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a composition of matter to be used for hardening iron or steel.

To prepare ten pounds of my composition, I take yellow prussiate of potash, five pounds; red prussiate ofpotash, one-halfpouud; borax, three pounds; rosin, one and one-half pound. Theseiugredients are to be thoroughly mingled by agitation in a fine or granular state.

In using the above named composition the iron or steel is heated to the degree generally known as cherry-red, and the compound is sprinkled on the iron or steel so heated. The iron or steel, with the compound sprinkled upon it, is then put into the fire or heatingspace and kept there, free from draft, for about two minutes. The iron or steel is then withdrawn from the supply of heat and plunged into cold water.

By the use of this compound iron and steel will become hardened and toughened.

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A sprinkling composition for hardening and toughening heated iron and steel, consisting of yellow prussiate of potash, red prussiate of potash, borax, and rosin, in or about the proportions set forth, for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HIRAM G. HICKS. [L. 3.]

WVituesses:

DAVID W. GOODRIOH, E. F. KASTENHUBER. 

